i.Tech BlueCON35 II Bluetooth Dongle

A mobile phone with Bluetooth is not something that would warrant serious discussion, as even some entry-level handsets come equipped with the technology today. I’m a sucker for Bluetooth gadgetry, as I hate the tangle of wires that would follow me around otherwise.

My peeve is that there aren’t many portable media players like DAPs or PMPs that incorporate this wirefree technology. Thankfully, a company called i.Tech that specializes in making Bluetooth headset (stereo and normal) has come up with a very simple solution. What it does is turn your everyday MP3 player into a stereo Bluetooth-enabled device for use with any stereo Bluetooth headset.

Design
i.Tech’s BlueCON35 II is a Bluetooth V1.2 (Class 2) Hi-Fi device that comes with a 3.5mm pin attached by a short wire to the dongle. It weighs no more than a five rupee coin and is about as small, so you won’t have to worry about being weighed down.

It has a slot for the charger (included in the package) and a small power key for activating and pairing the dongle to any Bluetooth headset. Of course, the device you intend to use it with needs to be equipped with a 3.5mm earphone or line-out socket. After plugging it in, simply follow the instructions for pairing it with a Bluetooth-enabled headset. This is easy as pie, and you’re wirefree in no time.

Performance
There’s not too much by way of performance that I can mention, considering it’s merely a device that emits a signal and nothing more. I will say this though: its simplicity is one of the biggest selling points. It’s not complicated to use and has no unnecessary frills.

The design could perhaps have been a bit snazzier but it’s great as it is. I tested the device with a couple of gadgets, which included a PMP and an iPhone 3G that just happened to be lying around. The BlueCON35 worked like a charm on both. The headset I used was i.Tech’s own BluePro. What was most impressive was the range. In an office with numerous cubicles it worked with no hitches up to about 12 meters. With the iPhone I was even able to take calls.�

I ran it nonstop for a battery test and squeezed out 6 hours and 35 minutes' worth of talktime. That’s not bad, considering the company promises 7 hours tops. Still, I guess it could have been better.

The Bottomline
The idea of enabling any old media device with Bluetooth is a great concept. Who doesn’t want to be wirefree? Of course, you will also need to invest in a stereo Bluetooth headset, which are not cheap as headsets go. The BlueCON35 II is priced at Rs 2988 (MRP) but the street price is closer to Rs 2500. I say it’s worth it!